In a post on the MSDN forums, Microsoft has confirmed that Direct X 11.1 will only be available on the Windows 8 operating system.

Back when Windows 7 was released, gamers were introduced to the wonders of Microsoft’s DirectX 11 API but customers who had previously invested in Windows Vista weren’t left out in the cold. Microsoft committed to and eventually released a DX11 patch for Vista which allowed for complete compatibility with this generation’s latest gaming titles. With the advent of Windows 8, it doesn’t look like that situation will repeat itself.

Time to get the US Fed on this. As owner of a Console platform they're in a conflict of interest if it looks like they're attempting to damage the PC gaming experience, and this looks to me to meet the low bar set for previous regulatory attacks on MS.

Just gives me another reason to NOT upgrade. I don't like being forced into anything, and with the interface options to boot, I'm not sold on 8.

-ST

Same,stupid windows 8.Anyway i don't have a touchscreen and what would be the advantage for gaming?I don't care let's stay with DirectX 11 hehehe...Anyway i don't think 11.1 will have extreme awesome new features